Abstract: A heat lamp is provided that minimizes visual obstructions between an individual and a food service line, while more evenly distributing heat across food. The heat energy penetrates into the food and does not merely heat the surface. Different heating capabilities can be provided by locating the lamp head at different positions over a large adjustable height range. Additional lighting elements provide illumination to heated surfaces to improve visual appeal. Each heat lamp on a service line may be connected to an adjacent heat lamp through built-in power receptacles. The surfaces of the heat lamp are sealed and/or made of easily cleaned substances and have features compliant to one or more industry standards. The heat lamp may be easily transportable and may be resistant to damage.

Abstract: An illustrative induction warming range capable of heating one or more multiple-sized servers and/or pots at any location on the range top using a plurality of preconfigured heating settings including low (145-155 F), low-med (156-165 F), med-high (166-175 F), and high (176-185 F). The illustrative induction warming range may be configured for automatically switch off 2 minutes after pans are removed. The induction warming range is compatible with all induction ready servers and pans and may include a durable, easy to clean tempered glass top. The illustrative warming range may be configured as a portable unit for countertop use, as a built-in unit for installation in a countertop or other surface, and/or the unit may be configured for both countertop or drop-in use.

Abstract: An illustrative induction warming range capable of heating one or more multiple-sized servers and/or pots at any location on the range top using a plurality of preconfigured heating settings including low (145-155 F), low-med (156-165 F), med-high (166-175 F), and high (176-185 F). The illustrative induction warming range may be configured for automatically switch off 2 minutes after pans are removed. The induction warming range is compatible with all induction ready servers and pans and may include a durable, easy to clean tempered glass top. The illustrative warming range may be configured as a portable unit for countertop use, as a built-in unit for installation in a countertop or other surface, and/or the unit may be configured for both countertop or drop-in use.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure herein relate to systems and methods for heating, cooling, and/or displaying food. A food display system may include a base; a support engaged with the base; a canopy supported by the support, the canopy having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge surface between the top and bottom surfaces, the edge surface having at least a first portion and a second portion; and a light source configured to provide light to the first portion of the edge surface of the canopy and illuminate the second portion of the edge surface of the canopy. The canopy may be configured to be located above a food item.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention support simultaneous operation of a cooling side and a heating side of an apparatus to change the temperatures of a cooling serving surface and a heating serving surface, respectively. A cooling semiconductor device (which may comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its top to its bottom while a heating semiconductor device (which may similarly comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its bottom to its top. A heat pipe transfers waste heat from the cooling semiconductor device's bottom to the heating semiconductor device's bottom and waste cold from the heating semiconductor device's bottom to the cooling semiconductor device's bottom.

Abstract: An induction cooktop may be reconfigured to be used as a built-in side-by-side warmer model, a built-in front-back warmer model, a countertop side-by-side warmer model, and a countertop front-back warmer model. The cooktop may include a housing with two warmers and a control panel for supplying power to the warmers. The control panel may be detached from one side of the cooktop and reattached to another side, thereby reconfiguring the cooktop from a side-by-side warmer model to a front-back warmer model. The inclusion of a ledge around the periphery of the housing may allow the cooktop to be used as both a built-in model and a countertop model.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention support simultaneous operation of a cooling side and a heating side of an apparatus to change the temperatures of a cooling serving surface and a heating serving surface, respectively. A cooling semiconductor device (which may comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its top to its bottom while a heating semiconductor device (which may similarly comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its bottom to its top. A heat pipe transfers waste heat from the cooling semiconductor device's bottom to the heating semiconductor device's bottom and waste cold from the heating semiconductor device's bottom to the cooling semiconductor device's bottom.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention support simultaneous operation of a cooling side and a heating side of an apparatus to change the temperatures of a cooling serving surface and a heating serving surface, respectively. A cooling semiconductor device (which may comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its top to its bottom while a heating semiconductor device (which may similarly comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its bottom to its top. A heat pipe transfers waste heat from the cooling semiconductor device's bottom to the heating semiconductor device's bottom and waste cold from the heating semiconductor device's bottom to the cooling semiconductor device's bottom.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention support the changing of a serving surface temperature in order to cool or heat the serving surface. Heat is transferred to or from the serving surface through at least one Peltier device, a heat pipe, and a heat sink. The mode of operation is determined by changing the electrical power polarity to the at least one Peltier device. A control device may activate the at least one Peltier device from a measured temperature and a temperature setting with a hysteresis. A plurality of Peltier devices may be partitioned into different subsets so that the control device may activate a selected subset during different time intervals. When the measured temperature is outside a temperature range, all of the Peltier devices may be activated, while only a selected subset may be activated when the measured temperature is within the temperature range and until a hysteresis temperature is reached.